Prepayment vending apparatus.



No. 892,434. PATENTED JULY 7, 1908. F. A. LANE.

PREPAYMBNT VENDING APPARATUS.

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APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903.

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F. A. LANE.

PREPAYMENT VENDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903.

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APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1,1903. 3 SHEE S 3 Jiffarnegs.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERIO A. LANE, OF LITTLE FALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO D. II. BURRELL & COMPANY, OF LITTLE FALLS, NEW YORK.

PREPAYMENT VEN DIN G- APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 7, 1908.

Application filed June 1, 1903. Serial No. 159,403.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERIC A. LANE, a citizen of the United. States, and resident of Little Falls, in the county of Herkimer and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Prepayment Vending Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to prepayment vending apparatus of the kind which are used mainly in connection with gas meters and in which the gas valve is operated by a device which is moved in one direction, to open the valve, by a coin controlled, hand-actuated purchasing shaft, rotatable only in the purchasing direction, and moved in the opposite direction, to close the valve, automatically by mechanism driven by the meter.

The objects of the invention are to simplify the construction of the apparatus, to increase its efficiency and usefulness, and to render the parts readily accessible for repairs and for adjusting the apparatus to the price of gas.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets: Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a meter provided with a prepayment apparatus embodying the invention, a portion of the meter casing being broken away to expose the operating mechanism. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the meter attic and prepayment casing, showing parts of the apparatus in plan. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, through the prepayment apparatus in line i 3, Fig. 2. Fig. l is a transverse section in line 4- 1, Fig. 3, looking toward the meter. Fig. 5 is a transverse section in line 55, Fig. 3, looking toward the meter. Fig. 6 is a transverse section in line 6-6, Fig.3, looking away from the meter. Fig. 7 is a transverse section through the prepayment apparashowing the position occupied by the parts when a coin has been inserted into the carrier and the latter has been partially turned. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section in line S8, Fig. 7. Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are detail sectional views, on an enlarged scale, showing the different positions of the shiftable driving pin. Fig. 12 is a horizontal section, on an enlarged scale, through the valve casing and valve actuating device. Fig. 13 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, through the valve casing.

Fig. 14 is a detached elevation of one of the fastenings connecting the valve casing to its base plate.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A, Figs. 1 and 2, represents the casing of an ordinary gas meter provided in its upper portion with the usual chamber or attic, which contains the flag arms a operated by the meter rods a, the vertical shaft a operated thereby, and the registering mechanism a operated by the usual horizontal shaft a, worm a and \vorin wheel a.

The valve B, Figs. 12 and 13, which controls the admission of gas to the meter is located in a valve casing C arranged in the meter attic, Figs. 1 and 2. The valve casing is divided by a partition 0 into a chamber 0 which communicates with the supply pipe I), and a chamber 0 which communicates with the pipe b leading to the meter.

IF, Figs. 1 and 2, represents the pipe leading from the meter to the burners. The two chambers of the valve casing communicate by a port 0 in the partition 0 which is controlled by the valve. The valve is provided with a horizontal operating spindle or shaft 0, Fig. 12, connected to the valve by a crank c and link 0. The outer end of the valve spindle, which projects through a stuffing box on the valve easing into the meter attic, is provided with a disk 1) having a peripheral notch (Z, Fig. 1.

E, Fig. 12, represents the valve actuating disk which is mounted to rotate in opposite directions and is provided with a projecting pin 6 adapted to engage in the notch d in the disk D to turn the valve spindle. When the valve actuating disk E is turned in one direc tion the pin engages in the notch in the disk D and turns the spindle in the direction to open the valve. The pin then passes out of the notch and the valve remains open until the pin is again engaged in the notch and the valve closed by the rotation of the valve actuating disk in the opposite direction.

The valve actuating disk is rotated in the purchasing direction to open the valve by the hand-actuated purchasing shaft, and in the return direction to close the valve by the meter, through gearing fully described in U. S. Letters Patent No. 671,167, granted to F. E. Morgan April 2, 1901, and which, briefly stated, is as follows:

e, Fig. 2, represents a horizontal shaft which is journaled in a frame 6 secured in g secured to the shell.

' therefrom.

the meter attic. This shaft, which is coupled to the purchasing shaft and' rotated by the same in the purchasing direction, carries a gear wheel 6 Fig. 12, which meshes with one or more epicycloidal gears e journaled on the valve actuating disk E which is loosely journaled on the hub of the gear wheel 6 F, Fig. 2, represents the meter actuated shaft, which is journaled in the frame 6 and has a telescopic loose connection with the adjacent end of the shaft e. The meter actuated shaft has secured thereto an internal gear wheel f, Fig. 12, which meshes with the epicycloidal gears c". The meter actuated shaft is operated to rotate the valve actuating disk in its return direction to close the valve by the following mechanism: f, Fig. 2, represents a shaft which is j ournaled at one end in a frame f hung on the index shaft (1 and passes through a guide 0 ening in a part of the frame 0 The shaft is driven from the index shaft by intermeshing bevel gear wheels f and is provided with a worm f which drives a worm wheel f secured to a horizontal shaft f ournaled in bearings on the frame e The shaft f is provided with a worm f which drives a worm wheel f secured to the meter actuated shaft F. All of these parts are well known and may be of any suitable construction.

G, Fig. 2, represents the inclosing casing for the prepayment mechanism. The casing is preferably cylindrical and consists of a circular base or rear end plate g, a cylindrical shell or body g and a front cover or end plate The base plate is detachably secured by screws 9 to a plate g which is permanently secured to or constitutes a part of the meter casing. The screws connecting the base plate to the meter are located inside of the casing for the coin con trolled apparatus and access can only be had to them to detach the base plate when the shell of the casing is removed. The shell is detachably secured to the base plate by pins g Figs. 6 and 1.4, which project inwardly from the shell and are engaged in slots in brackets gf projecting from the base plate, by placing the shell over the base plate and giving it a partial turn.

H represents a coin till or receptacle which is hinged or otherwise movably secured to the lower portion of the prepayment casing so that it can be opened to remove the coins The coin till is provided at its rear side with a locking pin or projection h,

Fig. 3, which enters registering holes g g in the shell and circumferential flange of the base plate g of the casing, and prevents the turning of the shell to detach it from the base The till is provided with a hasp h, Fig. 4, which is secured to a staple h on the casing by a lock 7b", which thus prevents the till from being opened except by an authorized person. When the till is opened the locking pin h is withdrawn from the holes in the shell and base plate so that the shell can be turned and detached from the base plate.

1, Figs. 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8, represents an oscillating or rotatable coin carrier which is arranged in the front part of the prepayment casing. In the constructionshown, the carrier consists of a disk secured to the inner portion of a hand-actuated shaft i which is journaled in the front head g 'of the prepayment casing, and is provided at its outer end with a crank or handle i for turning thecoin carrier. The latter is provided with a substantially radial longitudinal coin chamber or pocket '5 which is open at its outer and inner ends. The coin carrier is free to turn in both directions through a half revolution when no coin is in the coin pocket. The cylindrical shell of the casing is provided in its upnper portion or top with a slot through w 1ch a coin is inserted into the pocket of the coin carrier when the latter is in the initial or Zero position, indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, in which the coin pocket is below the coin slot. In the lower portion of the shell is an opening j, Figs. 4 and 7, through which the coin is dropped from the pocket into the till when the carrier has been turned a half revolution to invert the coin pocket.

K, Figs. 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11, represents a shiftable driving stud or pin which is mounted to slide longitudinally in and out in a bearing 7c on the coin carrier disk and is pro vided at its inner end with an enlargement or head is. The driving pin is connected at its front end to one arm of an ejecting lever 76 which is pivoted at k on the coin carrier disk and is provided with an inclined or bent arm 7c arranged adjacent to and extending across the inner open end of the coin pocket. The lever is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 3 with its inclined arm nearest the coin pocket by a spring k which, as shown, is secured to the coin carrier disk and bears at its free end against the lever.

L, Fig. 4, represents a stationary curved or segmental coin shield which is arranged on the inner side of the prepayment casing concentric with the axis of the coin carrier and extends from one side of the coin slot to the coin discharge opening j in the lower portion of the shell. The shield is provided at its upper end adjacent to the coin slot with an inc ined or cam face Z of such form that when a coin is inserted into the pocket of the coin carrier and the latter is turned to the left, as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 4 and 7, the edge of the coin, which projects outwardly beyond the outer end of the coin pocket, engages the inclined or cam face Z of the coin shield and is forced by the cam face inwardly into the pocket and against the inclined arm in of the ejecting lever H, whereby the latter is swung to the osition shown in Fig. 8. The lever is held m this position by the coin until the carrier has completed its rotary movement, when the edge of the coin passes off of the lower or rear end of the coin shield and the coin is ejected from the pocket of the coin carrier by the spring pressed ejecting lever. Instead of a segmental coin shield a circular shield provided with openings opposite the coin slot and discharge openings in the shell of the prepayment casing could be employed, and f desired, the coin shield can be formed integrally with the shell of the prepayment casing.

M, Fig. 4, represents a spring detent which prevents a return movement of the coin carrier after-the purchasing IIIOVOI'HGHt has been begun. This detent may be secured, as shown, to the coin shield and is provided with a tooth on which is provided with an inclined face and an abrupt back. \Vhen the coin has been inserted into the carrier and the purchasing movement is begun, the projecting edge of the coin engages the inclined face of the tooth m and forces the detent out of the way and passes the tooth. The de tent is then returned by its spring action to its normal position, and as the abrupt back of its tooth projects into the path of the coin and is struck by the coin, if an attempt is made to return the carrier to its initial position this cannot be accomplished so long as the coin is in the coin pocket. The detent thus prevents a coin from being removed from the carrier after it is once inserted and the purchasing movement has been begun.

a a, Figs. 3, 4 and 8, represent stop pins or projections which extend inwardly from the front head of the prepayment casing and are engaged. by the coin pocket, or other part of the coin carrier, to arrest the latter when the pocket is opposite the coin slot in position to receive a coin and when it has been turned to carry the coin past the shield and is in position to discharge the coin into the till. These pins are preferably secured to a disk n which is arranged on the inner side of the front head g and secured to the hub thereof.

0 0, Fig. 3, represent the purchasing shaft which is turned in the purchasing direction from the hand-actuated coin carrier and which operates the valve actuating disk to open the valve. This shaft is arranged in axial alinement with the coin carrier and preferably consists of detachably connected front and rear sections. The rear section 0 passes through a bearing and stuffing box 0, Fig. 2, on the meter easing into the meter attic and is geared at its inner end to the shaft e by gear wheels 0 0 secured respectively to the purchasing shaft and shaft c. The front section 0, Fig. 3, projects with its rear end through a bearing 0 in the base plate 9 and is provided at its front end with a journal seated in a socket in the inner end of the coin carrier shaft 0). The shaft sections 0 O are detachably coupled by interlocking portions, of any suitable construction so as to turn together. The front section of the purchasing shaft is preferably detachably held in the base plate 9 of the prepayment casing by a U-shaped spring clip 0.

P represents a ratchet wheel or disk which is secured to the front section of the purchasing shaft adjacent to the base plate g of the prepayment casing and having its rearward ly projecting hub journaled in the bearing 0 in the same. The spring clip 0" straddles this hub and engages in an. annual groove formed in the same and is so bowed or bent that it draws the ratchet wheel against the front side of the base plate with suflicient pressure to prevent the turning of the shaft and disk, except when positively operated.

Q, Figs. 3, 4 and 6, represents a pawl carrier or disk which is loosely .mounted on the front section 0 of the purchasing shaft, in front of the ratchet wheel P, so as to turn independently of said shaft, and which is provided with one or more pawls q, the toothed inner ends of which are held in engagement with the teeth on the ratchet wheel by springs The forwardly projecting hub of the pawl carrier is preferably provided with a circular plate or flange R, Figs. 3 and 5, represents a disk or dial provided on its front face with graduations to indicate the number of feet of gas purchased by the coin, and 'r is an adjustable index arm or projection for adjusting the apparatus to di'fierent prices of gas. The dial is mounted on the hub of the pawl carrier in front of the latter and is provided with rearwardly projecting pins 1' which enter openings in the flange Q2 of the hub of the pawl carrier to lock the latter and the dial together to move as one part. The two pins r are of different diameters so that the dial can be secured in place only when in its proper position, in which each pin registers with its corresponding opening, thus making it impossible for an inexpericnced person to secure the dial to the pawl carrier in an incorrect relation. The index arm 7 is provided with a hub which is secured to the front face of the dial by a screw 1*, Fig. 5, which passes through a curved slot in the hub into a threaded hole in the dial. When it becomes necessary, by reason of a change in the price of gas, to change the index to indicate the correct number of feet purchased by one coin, the screw is loosened. and the index arm moved on the dial to the proper point and secured in this position by tightening the screw. The dial and index are detachably secured to the hub of the pawl carrier in any suitable manner permitting the same to be readily removed. pose a U-shaped clip 1"", Figs. 3 and 4, is shown which straddles a grooved portion of the hub and bears against the front face of the index. The clip is of s )ring metal and bent someviat so as to 'ictionally bear For this puragainst the face of the index to retain it in place.

,gf T represents a restoring pin which is secured to and projects forwardly from the dial, being provided with an enlarged head or front end.

The pawl disk Q and the graduated disk R with the parts carried thereby constitute in effect a single part or purchasing device which is loose on the purchasing shaft to which it is connected to turn the shaft,'by a clutch device consisting, in the construction described, of the pawls q and cooperating ratchet wheel P.

When the parts of the apparatus are in the initial or zero position with the supply valve closed, the coin pocket '5 of the coin carrier is located beneath the coin slot j in the prepayment casing, the restoring pin 1"' on the dial R is in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and the shiftable driving pin K of the coin carrier I is in its forward position and in engagement with the restoring pin, as shown in Fig. 5. In this position of the parts the purchasing device consisting of the dial and pawl carrier is held from backward or return movement by the engagement of cooperating stop pins 8 s, Fig. 6, on the pawl carrier and base of the prepayment casing respectively. The coin carrier is free to rotate, but as the driving pin K is in its retracted or forward position its head will pass by the index arm 9 and thus cannot turn the purchasing device in the purchasing direction, that is, to the left in Figs. 4 and 5. When a coin is inserted in the pocket of the carrier and the latter rotated to the left, the projecting edge of the coin engages the cam face Z of the coin shield L and is thereby forced into the pocket, rocking the ejecting lever k and projecting the driving pin K rearwardly, as indicated in Figs. 8, 9 and. 11. In this position of the driving pin its head will engage the index arm 1" when the coin carrier is turned and will turn the purchasing device with the coin carrier until the latter is arrested by the engagement of the coin pocket with the stop pin n on the head of the prepayment casing. The engagement of the pawls on the pawl carrier with the ratchet wheel P turns the latter and the purchasing shaft in the pur chasing direction, thereby operating the valve actuating disk E to open the valve through the gearing before described. When the coin carrier is arrested after it has been turned a half revolution and the coin has been carried beyond the lower end of the coin shield, the coin is ejected from the pocket of the coin carrier by the ejecting lever which is returned by its spring to its normal position, shown in Fig. 3, and retracts the driving pin K to its forward position, indicated in Figs. 3 and 10. I11 this position of the driving pin the head thereof will engage the head of the restoring pin r on the dial of the purchasing device and return the latter with the coin carrier until the coin carrier is arrested in its initial position, thus returning the parts to the initial or zero posi tion. When a coin is in the carrier and the driving pinshifted rearwardly its head will pass by the head of the restoring pin on the dial, as indicated in Fig. 11. Thus it is impossible for a person to insert a coin in the carrier and obtain a greater amount of gas than the coin pays for by giving the coin carrier and purchasing shaft a succession of short forward and return movements. By adjusting the index arm 1" nearer to or farther from the initial position of the driving pin, the latter engages the index arm earlier or later in the rotation of the coin carrier and the dial and purchasing shaft are caused to make a longer or shorter movement, consequently increasing or decreasing the amount of gas delivered for the coin and enabling the machine to be set to deliver any number of feet of gas for a coin according to the price of gas.

When the index is to be adjusted in accordance with a change in the price of gas the shell of the prepayment casing is detached from the base plate, and as the coin carrier is mounted on the head of the pre payment casing, the coin carrier is removed with the shell and the dial and index are exposed to view, thus permitting the index to be adjusted. If the meter is located ina dark room or place the dial R and index 1 can be quickly detached from the pawl car rier Q by removing the spring retaining clip 1* and slipping the dial and index from the hub of the pawl carrier. The dial and index can then be carried to the light, the index set as required, and the parts returned to their correct position in the apparatus. Then the dial and index are removed the pawl carrier is not disturbed, thus avoiding any delay or trouble in replacing the pawl carrier or other parts. A coin cannot be inserted into the coin carrier .except when the latter is in the zero position with the coin pocket opposite to the coin slot in the prepayment casing, for in all other positions of the coin carrier the disk thereof crosses the coin slot and prevents the insertion of a coin. When the coin has been inserted the device cannot be improperly operated, for the coin carrier and purchasing shaft can only be turned in the purchasing direction and the parts are positively stopped when the purchasing movement has been completed. T he coin is simply dropped into the pocket and then during the first part of the rotary movement of the coin carrier, the coin is forcibly pressed by the cam into the coin pocket and against the lever which shifts the driving pin, whereby the complete insertion of the coin and the shifting of the driving pin to the driving position is effected in a very simple, certain and effective manpocket.

ner, thus doing away with the uncertain operation of shifting a driving device by the hand in the act of inserting the coin into the Furthermore, the mechanism is of very simple construction in all of its parts, and the different parts are readily accessible for adjustment or repairs, so that even inexperienced persons can have no difficulty in adjusting, assembling or repairing the same.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a prepayment apparatus, the combination of a casing provided with a coin slot, a purchasing shaft, a purchasing device rotatable in one direction independently of said shaft and connected to said shaft to turn the latter in the opposite direction, parts on said purchasing device adapted to be engaged by a driving device, an oscillating coin carrier in said casing provided with a coin pocket adapted to register with said slot in the casing, a shiftable driving device on said coin carrier which in one position engages one of said parts on said rotatable purchasing device to turn the latter in one direction and in another position engages the other part on said rotatable purchasing device to turn the latter in the opposite direction, coin-actuated means for shifting said driving device, and means acting upon the oscillation of the coin carrier to force the coin into the pocket of said coin carrier to operate said shiftable driving device, substantially as set forth.

2. In a prepayment apparatus, the combination of an inclosing casing provided with a coin slot, a purchasing shaft, a purchasing device rotatable in one direction independently of said shaft and connected to said shaft to turn the latter in the opposite direction, parts on said purchasing device adapted to be engaged by a driving device, an oscillating coin carrier in said casing provided with a coin pocket adapted to register with said slot in the casing, a shiftable driving device on said coin carrier which in one position engages one of said parts on said rotatable purchasing device to turn the latter in one direction and which in another position engages the other part on said rotatable purchasing device to turn thelatter in the opposite direction, coin-actuated means for shifting said driving device, and a cam which acts upon the oscillation of the coin carrier to force the coin into the pocket of said coin carrier to operate said shiftable driving device, substantially as set forth.

3. In a prepayment apparatus, the combination of an inclosing casing provided with a coin slot, a purchasing shaft in said casing, a purchasing device rotatable in one direction independently of said purchasing shaft and connected to said shaft to turn the latter in the opposite direction, parts on said purchasthe coin slot in said casing, a shiftable driving device mounted on said coin carrier and which in one position engages one of said parts on said rotatable purchasing device to turn the latter in one direction and in another position engages the other part on said purchasing device to turn the latter in the opposite direction, a cam which acts upon the oscillation of the coin carrier to force the coin into said coin pocket, coin-actuated means for shifting said driving device, and a detent for engaging the coin to prevent return movement of said oscillating coin carrier, substantially as set forth.

4. In a prepayment apparatus, the combination of an inclosing casing provided with a coin slot, a purchasing shaft, a purchasing device rotatable in one direction independently of said shaft and connected to said shaft to turn the latter in the opposite direction, parts on said purchasing device adapted to be engaged by a driving device, an oscillating coin carrier provided with a coin pocket adapted to register with said coin slot, a shiftable driving device mounted on said coin carrier and which in one position engages one of said parts 011 said rotatable purchasing device to turn the latter in one direction and which in another position engages the other part on said rotatable device to turn the latter in the opposite direction, a curved coin shield provided with a cam face which forces the coin into said coin pocket, and a coin ejecting lever pivoted on said coin carrier and connected to said shiftable driving device, said lever being operated. by the coin to shift said driving device and acting to eject the coin from said coin carrier when the coin clears said coin shield, substantially as set forth.

5. In a prepayment apparatus, the combination of an inclosing casing provided with a coin slot, a purchasing shaft, a purchasing device rotatable in one direction independently of said shaft and connected to said shaft to turn the latter in the opposite direction, parts on said purchasing device adapted to be engaged by a driving device, an oscillating coin carrier provided with a coin pocket adapted to register with said coin slot, a driving pin slidably mounted on said coin carrier parallel with said purchasing shaft and which is movable in a direction longitudinally of said purchasing shaft toward and from said rotatable purchasing device, and which in one position engages one of said parts on said purchasing device to turn the latter in one direction and in another position engages the other part on said purchasing device to turn the latter in the opposite direction, and coin-actuated means on said coin carrier for shifting said driving pin, substantially as set forth.

6. In a prepayment apparatus, the combination of an inclosing casing provided with a coin slot, a purchasing'shaft, a dial rotatable in one direction independently of said shaft and connected to said shaft to turn the latter in the opposite direction, an index adjustably secured to said dial, a restoring pin on said dial, an oscillating coin carrier arranged in front of said dial and provided With a coin pocket adapted to register With said coin slot, a driving pin slidably mounted on said coin carrier to move in a direction longitudinally of said purchasing shaft toward and from said dial, a lever which is mounted on said coin carrier and connected to-said driving pin and which is operated by the coin to shift said driving pin into position to engage said index to turn said dial in one direction, said driving pin engaging said restoring pin when no coin is in the coin carrier to return the dial, substantially as set forth.

7. In a prepayment apparatus, the combination of a rotatable purchasing device, an

index secured to said purchasing device, a

restoring pin on said purchasing device having an enlarged head, a rotatable coin carrier provided With a coin pocket, a driving pin mounted on said coin carrier to move longitudinally toward and from said purchasing device, said driving pin having a head adapted in one position to engage said index and pass said restoring pin and in another position to engage the head of said restoring seaasa pin and pass the index, and coin-actuated means for shifting said driving p in, substantially as set forth.

8. In aprepayrnent apparatus, the com-' bination of an inclosing casing provided With a coin slot, a purchasing shaft, a dial rotatable in one direction independently of said purchasing shaft and connected to said purchasing shaft to turn the latter in the opposite direction, an index adjustably secured to said dial, a restoring pin on said dial Which is provided With an enlarged head, an oscillating coin carrier arranged in front of said dial and provided With a coin pocket adapted to register with said coin slot, a driving pin mounted on said coin carrier and movable longitudinally toward and from said dial, said driving pin'having a head adapted in one position to engage said index and pass said restoring pin and in another position to engage the head of said restoring pin and pass said index, a lever pivoted on said coin carrier and connected to said driving-pin,and a curved coin shield provided With a cam face Which forces the coin into said pocket to operate said lever, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 29th day of May,

FREDERIC A. LANE. Witnesses:

W. T. WOLFENDEN, R. J. THORP. 

